There's been some frenetic activity at the Center for Airborne Systems (CABS) in Bangalore, where scientists are developing India's indigenous airborne early warning & control (AEW&C) system. According to the latest DRDO newsletter, there has been a flurry of senior-level visits to the lab recently ostensibly to validate what's been done so far, and right before the next big step is taken. The visitors included Air Vice Marshal Daljit Singh, Asst Chief of Air Staff (Operations) on July 17, Air Vice Marshal RK Sharma, Asst Chief of Air Staff (Plans) on July 22 and finally Air Marshal NV Tyagi, Deputy Chief of Air Staff on July 29. That's quite a few visits in quick succession, and certainly suggests that CABS finally has something to "show". A team from Embraer has been embedded with CABS ever since DRDO and the Brazilian aircraft and systems manufacturer formally teamed up back on February 5, 2005.

CABS Director Dr S Christopher writes in the latest issue of Vayu that the CABS/Embraer AEW&C aircraft is expected to be available and operational in 2012.